tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373761262024-03-05T08:58:38.688-08:00The Queen's CastleWhere the Pen is Mightier than the Sword...Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-49938469215542583542010-02-09T09:53:00.000-08:002010-02-09T10:06:34.422-08:00It's all RANDOM<div>Oh my goodness, where do I start? What a jumble of thoughts and ideas that are running through my mind. I want to blog about SO many things! Let’s see how much stuff I can say in this one post! Here goes…<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436306659020972402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGpVwYkvUOFmSfLMrXlH7PY_sdlTlltb8BwOuPWK90B7q8Zf21KkPTS4HubteNUQAqgAI9YXgabpypTbUiB5bSrB4gVKwJCwwTlW8g6zs7odA0M8bIShDJYzbN4YpNYO6MGjX/s320/4333755035_c5fd3e45fd.jpg" /><br />First off, can I just state the obvious? I love my husband. I’ll be transparent and admit that there were times early on in our marriage that I worried that I didn’t feel that true love forever feelings like I should, to be married to someone for the rest of my life, or that my husband even loved me enough either. Of course, this idea was measured in my mind by what I ‘perceived’ to be ‘true love’, based on all those romance novels that we gals seem to eat up on a daily basis. Those and epic films like Casablanca, Sixteen Candles and The Notebook! LOL (okay, Sixteen Candles is a stretch, but I always loved Jake Ryan and wanted to be his bride! LOL)<br /><br />Boy was I ever wrong.<br /><br />My love for my husband is a river that runs through every vein, every nerve, every thought, and every heartbeat that is in me. And not just in the romantic, swooning kind of way, although,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlo8k0hikECLGfE5Z4Vs7o2sSJSSrxw8YtBNdEBm7H8QXRLjaqwGKd9TSEF0l-3GtHUL0XzJFXEN2Y9nB_P2V6e0Vdmo51hWHHJVcvMyGAuP3dj-K43O-TZ2VKy47vwxejzJY/s1600-h/4333755035_c5fd3e45fd.jpg"></a> I do still get butterflies when he is near. But in a steady, sweet, quiet, trusting way that has changed my life. Even in the midst of an argument or a blah phase of our life, I find that love can run very, very deep. Love doesn’t always have a ten-piece orchestra playing in the background. Usually the sounds of bill collectors, car trouble, clogged drains and piling up dishes and laundry are a steady beat throughout our days. But what I hear mostly in the foreground is laughter. Lots of laughter… the very best kind. The kind only true love can generate. What a beautiful life I lead! Completely imperfect and flawed and completely beautiful! Oh, and here’s a fun fact! We’ve been married for seven months now, and this Sunday will be our very first Valentine’s Day that we spend together as a couple! LOL. Life sure is colorful and full of surprises and variety isn’t it?? Gotta love it!<br /><br />Okay, so for my sister’s sake, I’ll move on to my next subject! LOL (Deb can only take so much of her sister’s sappiness and believe me, she’s endured a lot of it!)<br /><br />Living in “The South” has proven to be a test, a trial, a blessing, a gift and an adventure all rolled into one. We live in a town 45ish miles west of Jackson, MS called Vicksburg (also in Mississippi). For you history buffs, the famous Battle at Vicksburg was fought here during the civil war and the confederates surrendered on July 4th! Of all days! It took many years before this town recognized and celebrated Independence Day! I live within walking distance of the military park that is the actual battlefield. It is breathtaking! When I can, I’ll have to post some pictures on here. We have found that it is the perfect place to drive through after a long hard day at work. It’s peaceful, serene and scenic. When you finally exit, you feel rejuvenated and refreshed. We love it. And we love this town. It’s really cute and quaint, but with most of the conveniences that we need to make living easier and enjoyable. I just wish Sam’s Club wasn’t 38 miles away!! I love to shop there and have to make monthly trips.<br /><br />Another cool thing is we live on the actual banks (or bluffs actually) of the Mighty Mississippi River! Yes it is a little bit brown at times… not the most pristine color of water, I admit, but still so beautiful! The interstate crosses it on a magnificent bridge, where when you get halfway across, lo and behold, you are now in Louisiana!! Yep, I live about 4 miles away from Louisiana. It’s so weird for me to think that I can cross state lines every day just like that. Needless to say, I’m enjoying discovering a new world and culture and a new life, even at the ripe old age of 34… LOL! (yes, yes, I know I’m a spring chicken!)<br /><br />With all this newness, I’ve had a bout of losing myself. I forgot who I was and how much of me that I was letting fall to the wayside as I’ve tried to fit in and figure out where I belong in this sea of the unknown. And I did the worse thing possible. I allowed ME to disappear. My personality, my independence, my spunk and drive… withered away. Not completely, but enough that I was becoming unrecognizable. What a pitiful state to find yourself in. Well, no longer. I have come to the realization that I’m only at my best when I’m completely ME. Figuring that out was like a window opening and a cool spring breeze blowing in. Liberating. I’m getting my confidence back. My mojo. My strut in my stuff and swing in my step back. Thank God! I sure missed her!!<br /><br />I can go on and on with this post. I can talk about how much I miss my family, how I long to go on a shopping spree at Macy’s, or how much I crave Del Taco! LOL! I can go on and on for paragraphs about my step-son Scott and how much I enjoy being his 2nd mom and how much I love that rascal! I can talk about my beautiful mother and how only now do I truly understand and appreciate the amazing woman that she is. I can talk about the infamous DEB and how she dazzles me daily with her talent and beauty and drive. I can talk about how sad I am to have missed the birth of my new niece and how much I miss one of my very best friends, Eileen. I could, but for now I’ll leave with one more thought.<br /><br />How Great is Our God?! Words cannot even begin to describe His Greatness. As high as the heavens and as deep as earth, sky and space, He expands and exceeds our human capabilities of measurement. Not just His being, but His attributes and His ways and thoughts and acts. Incredible. Most importantly, His love is perfect, complete and flawless in every way. And all for me. I have no words. I have no way to live up to it or return even a fraction of it. All I can do is accept it. Allow Him to love me and to try to love Him with all that He put in me. Wow, allowing God to love me?? Yes, He is a gentleman and won’t force His way into my life. Who can possible refuse this type of love? I certainly can’t. And I won’t. Love me Lord… forever, love me!<br /><br />Amazing Grace…. How Sweet The Sound.<br /><br /><br />Food from…<br />The Queen’s Table of Thought</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>(Photo: Aftab Uzzaman)</em></span></div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-75632132910287853432009-10-19T07:25:00.000-07:002009-10-19T10:42:43.788-07:00October 16th... for the 59th time!<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>So this post is a tad late... can't say I have a grand excuse, just got busy doing stuff.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>Oct 16th, 1950... what a day that was! Of course, I wasn't there to celebrate the spectacular event that took place, but I've had great benefits from it. </em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>Like being born. LOL!</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>Yes, that was the day that my father, Peter Robert, was born. He was born to Peter Raymond and Elizabeth Ann, my grandparents. Being the first child and the product of a great love story is something to celebrate indeed. Whirlwind romance, short engagement, apparently they couldn't live without each other, resulting in marriage and then came my dad, the first of four!</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>This year, we celebrate birthday number 59. I have to say, it's hard for me to imagine that my parents are no longer in their 30's. I know that sounds funny considering I am in my 30's, but of course when I'm around my parents, I still feel like a kid. And to think my parents were younger than I am right now when I made my grand entrance into the world. My dad was 25 when I was born, and I was so close to having the same birthday as him, but was 5 days too late. I've always loved the fact that we share the same birth month. Somehow, being a daddy's girl, it always made me feel special and unique.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>It's true. I grew up a daddy's girl. We did so many things together, or I'd always be tagging along whether he wanted me to or not! I remember loving to watch him shave and he'd put a dab of shaving cream on my nose. (I used to wonder how come I couldn't shave my face too!) Whenever he would leave to pick up people for church, I'd be riding right beside him. Sometimes we'd be in a car, and sometimes we'd be in a van because we'd be picking people up that were in wheelchairs. I'd try to help him set up the ramps, but usually ended up just being in the way. Still, he'd let me come along every time. I'd ride with him to pick up Sunday School kids or go on bus ministry. I'd sit in a hard plastic chair to watch him get his hair cut at the barbershop by Country Cousin's Market in Costa Mesa, CA. He would let me work the fireworks booth with him every July and as I grew into an adult, eventually we started a new tradition. The two of us would be the ones to go every year and buy the fireworks for the family.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>As I am typing this blog, so many memories are coming to the surface. Looking back, I'm realizing the many things that my dad and I used to do together. </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>I'll save you all from reading a very long list, but I have to keep my blog tradition!</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>So here is just a partial list of things that were all about my daddy and me!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>1. Watching Lakers games together</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>2. Slowly I turn... step by step... </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>3. Singing Duets </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>4. Going to teach Bible Studies (he'd teach, I'd babysit the kids)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>5. House hunting</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>6. Talking about movies</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>7. UFC Nights!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>8. Buying Fireworks</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>9. Shopping for Perfume for Mom for Christmas (Giorgio Beverly Hills anyone??)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>10. Browsing FedCo</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>11. Combing out Deborah's hair! (LOL)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>12. Taking care of the kids while Mom was away (Ladies Retreat!)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>13. Picking up people for church</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>14. Debating (no one ever won!)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>15. Going to Twinkle Park (with Mom too!)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>16. Riding bikes at the Back Bay</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>17. Working in the fireworks stand</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>18. Eating lunch at the Hilton Hotel at General Conference in Anaheim, CA 1984</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>19. Going to the barbershop (at least until Peter came along!)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>20. Watching him shave in the morning</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>21. Reading bedtime stories when Mom was too tired or busy (he's skip pages!)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>22. Sitting in his lap at church</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>24. Going on Space Mountain (or NOT going on it after 1 hour wait!)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>25. Driving in the truck on long trips listening to Chicago and talking about everything!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>Happy Birthday Dad!! I can't believe this is the first birthday (since I've been around) that I haven't been there to celebrate with you!! I know that may sound sad, but when you think about it, it doesn't really matter where I am or where you are, we can celebrate together in our hearts! That's the power of love and I love you very much Dad! I wish you so much joy and blessings this coming year. The best is yet to come, I just know it!!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>Love always,</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>your #1 girl,</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffff66;"><em>Catherine Elizabeth</em></span>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-84899813268393177852009-10-08T07:47:00.000-07:002009-10-08T09:31:41.912-07:00Pedroline... The 28th year<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MWw8B363cnuAhJ9OBik_LWVnYkJIWSI7ImOW5iL_kUJSODfNyN3tzp4CeNPcYmSbvKGfbzGQI942NQ8DvUsKUIgFkPE5Txt8bde1XkIELySw0WhIesiCKKusKCL5j9TUmZnV/s1600-h/bdayboy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390265389192763762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MWw8B363cnuAhJ9OBik_LWVnYkJIWSI7ImOW5iL_kUJSODfNyN3tzp4CeNPcYmSbvKGfbzGQI942NQ8DvUsKUIgFkPE5Txt8bde1XkIELySw0WhIesiCKKusKCL5j9TUmZnV/s400/bdayboy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>Pedroline (pronounced pA-drO-leen) is a name that just rolls off the tongue. Half masculine, half feminine, it completely describes the fashionista that is my brother! Okay, so he loves fashion, but let me set the record straight, Peter is not feminine in any way, shape or form!! (oh my, I better stop while I'm ahead, the jokes just keep coming... I'll leave the 'shape' part of that statement alone! HA HA HA)</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>I have no idea who or why we came up with that nickname for Peter, but nevertheless, he is stuck with it. Of course it is just one of many nicknames for our complex brother.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>28 years ago today, Peter made his grand entrance into the world. 45 minute labor and boom there he was... perfectly pink and healthy. He really is a miracle baby (in fact all my siblings are miracles) and it wasn't until later in life that we've realized that the perfectly pink was hiding the truth... Peter is a bit off, a bit slow, a bit flawed, a bit, shall we say... SPECIAL. But we love him just the same, just as if he were normal like us!! Of course none of that is entirely true, but we've always had a too much fun giving him a hard time. LOL.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>Today I salute my brother Peter on his birthday. It's hard to believe that he is 28. That's a serious age. 30 is looming ahead and responsibilities and taking life seriously are the daily pressures that come as you start to leave your 20's behind. So Peter, as you celebrate the day of your birth, ask yourself this... What Would SpongeBob Do?????</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>In usual blogger style... here is a list of Pedo Stuff. (does anyone else notice how these lists get longer and longer each year?? funny that.) ;-)</em></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>28 moments of Peter's 28 years:</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>1. Goose Egg Forehead with 2 black eyes</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>2. Pneumonia on Christmas Day</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>3. Beside bell ringing</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>4. Jerry Macguire and a girl</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>5. Beating up 5 guys on the corner</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>6. BMX Madness</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>7. Standing in the corner</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>8. Cammo in the backyard</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>9. Shooting the wife in Big Bear</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>10. Laugh attacks in the middle of the story</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>11. Singing the testimony</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>12. Sam Ash Limelight Nights</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>13. Label swapping</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>14. Dribble Shirts</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>15. Goodwill Hunting (or Thrifting)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>16. Carebear hugs</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>17. The mouse and the giant strawberry</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>18. Headlock sleep wrestling</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>19. Boonsters!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>20. Spongebob bedtimes</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>21. D2E</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>22. Drive by healings</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>23. Cruising to Mr. & Mrs.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>24. Backscratch Begging</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>25. Poker face</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>26. Madlib crying</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>27. Bee running (ending in TIMBER!!!)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#99ffff;"><em>28. What about JIM??</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>In case none of you know this.. #28 is actually a serious one. Peter spent his time and money looking out for a homeless man named Jim. He bought him meals and even went and would buy him new pairs of pants. This is the epitome of my brother. His compassion showed up early in life and he's maintained that sensitivity to others needs up to this point. Peter, you make me proud to be your sister!</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>I hope this year is abundant in blessings and that you receive your deepest heart's desires!! Happy 28th Birthday!!</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>Love </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>The Big Queen Sister! :-)</em></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-25997308215659853822009-06-21T15:55:00.000-07:002009-06-21T16:47:23.023-07:00SUPERHEROES<span style="color:#99ff99;"><em>Happy Father's Day to every dad who makes a difference every day!!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><em>Dad, I wish you a wonderful day and want to say thank you for all you've done for me. Even though the miles may separate us, I will always be your daughter and you will always be my daddy. I hope the rest of the 'kids' treat you well and you get a dip in the pool and some yummy bbq food to celebrate!! I love you!!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><em>Gramps, my first father's day without you. I thought about you often today and remembered a lot of the words of wisdom you passed down to me. I miss your smiling Irish eyes. There is so much I would share with you if I could, but alas, the time of sharing is done. Thank you for the many father's days I got to spend with you! I love you.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><em>Paul, you are the newest man in my life and I know you've been bombarded today by the many avenues I've taken to say happy father's day. So I will simply say that seeing you as a father just shows me more and more of who you are. A man of integrity and character and wisdom. I love you more and more and look forward to a lifetime of celebrations with you!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><em>Pastor Morgan, you have been my 'spiritual' father for 12 years. I want to just say thanks for being there for me and helping me through the good and bad times. You are a rock and I am forever grateful!! I love you!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><em>Happy Father's Day Blogger World... CELEBRATE!!!<br />The Queen</em></span>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-51190989790873413562009-06-12T10:00:00.000-07:002009-06-12T08:00:57.267-07:00Toto, I'm not in Cali anymore!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKMZdRpqdOyjd-Wo85zGQcmNwnFcLxQgl2EP05gUrQp3pn6nEi-C7FDPhc4Tr2z4s8rqr-DmfgO6e432UWa89GdMQ7iqDG2zRae9lfan4Dp0nFi3XYUcN3WI55ssjvK0JpEmt/s1600-h/THE_WIZARD_OF_OZ-030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346455305125331058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKMZdRpqdOyjd-Wo85zGQcmNwnFcLxQgl2EP05gUrQp3pn6nEi-C7FDPhc4Tr2z4s8rqr-DmfgO6e432UWa89GdMQ7iqDG2zRae9lfan4Dp0nFi3XYUcN3WI55ssjvK0JpEmt/s400/THE_WIZARD_OF_OZ-030.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;">Boy, have I landed in a different world! It's not bad, not in the least. I find it interesting and exciting. (If you can call quiet, peaceful & small exciting!! LOL)</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;">I had crawfish for the first time!! I'll admit, when I saw them scooping the crawfish out of the boiling water into our bag, I thought to myself, can I really eat that? Can I?? But once we got all 5 pounds home, (for just the two of us!!!), I forgot my original thought and dug in. That is, once Paul showed me how to pinch the tail off and get the meat out and then suck the head. Once I got the hang of it, I was chowing down! Mmmm Mmmm Good. With sweet corn on the cob and red potatoes soaking up the juices and spices, it was a feast fit for a Queen! ;-)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;">I'm experiencing so many different things. Like having to walk into the post office to mail anything! Unless you can catch the mailman in the morning as he goes by. There are no drive up post office boxes or boxes at the corner to drop your mail. It's a bit of hassle, until you realize you really have no other pressing engagement, so why the impatience?!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;">Another thing is the leisurely way of doing things. Everyone is very meticulous and slow. However, things actually get done. How does that happen?? I don't get it. But I like it! LOL The only thing that tries my patience every day is the stop signs. You have to make a complete stop. And if other cars stop at the other corners, everyone sits there and figures out who goes next and they are super courteous and try to let you go first. O.M.W. I don't have the leisure of zipping through stop signs and beating everyone to the punch anymore. It definitely "worketh patience"!!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;">Also, the women around here are mostly very feminine. I see skirts and dresses and jewelry and "done" hair and "pumps" everywhere. These women take their femininity very seriously! Now mind you, it's not the high fashion capital of the south by any stretch of the imagination, but still, I think in California the ratio of women in pants or suits or men's jeans versus skirts is about 95 to 5. Here dresses are about 90 to 10. It's just strange for me to see that. It is definitely noticeable.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;">Also, bugs love me in the south. I had a couple of VERY miserable and itchy days, when I had sat outside too long and got 7 bites! I'm guessing mesquitos, but whatever they were, they swelled and itched like nobody's business!! I hope they don't leave marks!!! I also found a lizard skeleton in my closet! (And Paul had cleaned out the closet fairly recently!) It had a skull and a spine and legs and toes. The skull was the weirdest thing to see. I scooped it up on a piece of paper and tried to take pictures of it without getting too close. It was grossing me out big time!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><p><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;">Also, did I mention the real estate? You can find a major fixer upper for $17,500.00!! That's less than what I paid for my car! And I got a simple Toyota Corrolla. For a move in ready house, you can easily find something around $70,000.00. Again, less than some cars I am acquainted with. The rent here for a 2-3 bedroom with 2 baths is in the $550.00 range. It just amazings me the difference of cost here. Although, a gallon of milk is about $3.50 here and in my hometown in California the current price is $1.99. I'm not sure why that is. Hmmmm. Something to ponder.</span></p><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;">And the thing that gets me the most. When people go shopping, they don't grab a shopping cart, they get a "buggy". A what?? Yep, a BUGGY. I know. I refuse to say it. I will always say shopping cart no matter who points and laughs at me!! ;-)<br /></span><br /><p></p><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;">There's so much to tell, I could ramble on forever. I can't even keep track of all the new things I am seeing and experiencing. I'm sure as new things come to me, you will hear alllllllllll about it! It's too fun NOT to share!</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;"></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;">TGIF!!</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#9999ff;">Queen Cat<br /></span></p><br /><div></div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-88139325963466729712009-06-10T07:26:00.000-07:002013-06-08T13:04:34.091-07:00Twenty-Six<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliwM-6y21D7EEcxcf3vAlOA3xMIap5SIqulnqfGSKxYa1sdUUtvBDMsccwtdrRCtE52pjjuRamKCBGIxnXlaMxLBRmFmgDq3vM7PKH1LVYrTuxjlyqHAqKPFhJTdZb87hvZxd/s1600-h/happybirthday.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345712443463436562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliwM-6y21D7EEcxcf3vAlOA3xMIap5SIqulnqfGSKxYa1sdUUtvBDMsccwtdrRCtE52pjjuRamKCBGIxnXlaMxLBRmFmgDq3vM7PKH1LVYrTuxjlyqHAqKPFhJTdZb87hvZxd/s400/happybirthday.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />
<div><span style="color:#000000;"><em><span style="font-family:verdana;">Yesterday was my sister's birthday. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">What a whirlwind day it was. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">I didn't have a chance to post until now. So sorry!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">Deborah, my baby sister, I hope your birthday was meaningful and full of love and laughter. I know it probably wasn't the grandest birthday you've ever had. It wasn't the least stressful or most exciting time I'm sure. But, to celebrate another year of growth and family and friends and changes and all the in-between is a blessing nonetheless. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">I am sad to think I did not get to share it with you. I would have never known that #25 would be the last birthday we'd spend living, working & playing together. Change is hard, but remember it's all things work together for good...</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">So here is my ode to Deb... 26 things that she does that makes me miss her most!!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">1. JOHN WAYNE!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">2. Peeking from the supply closet door while I'm "trying" to work</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">3. Talking to the cars while merging into the carpool lane on the I-5 after work</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">4. Eating Paul's Place even though she knows it makes her sick</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">5. Singing soprano</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">6. "Cooking" nachos in the microwave</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">7. Always examining if she has swollen ankles</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">8. Using a whole bottle of bleach to clean a bathroom</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">9. Laying on the couch reading a Julie Lessman book</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">10. Making pesto pizza and stuffed mushrooms</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">11. Reading her Bible before going to bed</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">12. Singing and praying in the shower</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">13. Making 'another' doctor's appointment</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">14. Saying she doesn't feel good</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">15. Snort laughing</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">16. Picking on Sonia</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">17. Sideseat driving</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">18. Ordering the most expensive thing on the menu</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">19. Craving gelato from Luccia's</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">20. Borrowing church clothes from my closet</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">21. Playing with Zee Zee</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">22. Yelling at the dog (used to be Tiffany!)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">23. Fighting with Peter in her sleep</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">24. Fixing mom's hair</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">25. Laying across my lap watching TV in the bonus room</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">26. Sitting next to me at church</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">Happy Belated Birthday Deb! Your gift is in the mail!! Hope you like it!!!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">Love you lots!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family:verdana;">Queen Cat</span></em></span></div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-29351569547229963882009-06-05T07:15:00.000-07:002009-06-05T08:01:41.371-07:00A Friday TAG!!<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffcc33;"><em>I'm trying really hard to keep up with my blog!! Sooo glad it's Friday. Not sure why I'm glad, maybe it's just programmed in us to be extra happy on Friday... but for whatever the reason, I am ecstatic to see Friday arrive. Looking forward to another fabulous weekend here in Small Town USA!! :-)</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#cc9933;">So... on to the business at hand:</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">I was tagged by Deb at </span><a href="http://dailybeeblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">The</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"> Daily Bee! </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Rules of the Tag </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">::List Six <strong><em>Unimportant </em></strong>Things that Make you Happy::</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Mention and link to the person who tagged you::</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Tag six of your favorite bloggers to play along, and comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Here goes: Six unimportant things that make me happy!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">1. Holding hands across recliner armrests!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">2. New Shoes!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">3. Actually being Queen of my very own castle!! ;-)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">4. Hats!! (I love hats, and when I need a pick-me-up, I just slap a hat on and away I go!)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">5. Pedicures... they are pure bliss!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">6. Good morning texts (It really doesn't matter if we are in the same room, they still make me smile!!)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">There you have it!!! Six unimportant things that make me happy... although if they make me happy, they are definitely important to me, even on the smallest scale!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Now to the tagging... </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Mom @ </span><a href="http://www.ybngy.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Nana's Words</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Eileen @ </span><a href="http://eileen-saywhat.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Say What?!?!</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Yvonne @ </span><a href="http://vonnieaune.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=24"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Aune's Adventures</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Rita @ </span><a href="http://rita4macias.blogspot.com/#sidebar"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Macias Moments</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">TGIF everyone!!!! We are survivors!!! :-)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Hope everyone's weekend plans include some rest and relaxation, laughs and giggles, good company and everything unimportant that makes you happy!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;">Queen B.</span>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-87033586000397092322009-06-02T11:43:00.000-07:002009-06-02T14:58:55.082-07:00Completely Confused!<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>This is my first post from the good old state of Mississippi!!! The state I now call home! Who woulda thunk it!! But, yes, it is true. I now live in the deep south. It's humid and warm and green and plush and chalk full of history. It's long drives of rolling plains and tiny towns in between. It's water towers galore and picturesque courthouses. The after work traffic lasts about 15 minutes and after 7 p.m. the streets are quiet. Scattered thunderstorms are about every 1/4 mile and happen mostly in the summer. It truly is a different place. Yet, somehow I feel at home. I think the added element that my heart is here has something to do with it. Home is truly where your heart is!</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>Surprisingly, the one hiccup in this state of complete bliss is an inner struggle that has crept up on me. I've never quite been in this situation before and had no idea what to expect, this moving across country. In the deepest part of my heart of hearts, I am completely content and happy and joyful and know I'm exactly where I need to be. But my surface is an emotional wreck. Tears threaten at every turn, without notice and usually without legitimate cause. I hate it. And totally not used to it at all. I'll be the first to tell you how annoying I am. I annoy myself with these emotional outbursts. When will it stop?? Please say soon. </em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>Everything seems topsy turvy here. I am wondering where that strong independent woman who could handle anything set before her has gone. At times I feel like a 5 year old about to throw a pity party or temper tantrum. And I used to be efficient. Now I'm all thumbs and left feet. I even open packages from the wrong end and forget things. Paul has taken to leaving me notes for reminders. I'm starting to wonder how I managed to make it through a day without him. I'm hoping one of these days I'll actually be able to finally at least feed myself and change my own diaper!! LOL. Seriously, that's how I feel!!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>See, Completely Confused. why me?? Huh? Huh? huh?... </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>Maybe I'm trying too hard. I need to relax and just live life, I know. Now that's just preaching to the choir! I guess I'll try harder to not try too hard. HA. Catch 22!!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>If you know me at all or have read my blog at all, you know I overthink EVERYTHING. And here I am doing it again. Deep breath. Whew. </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>Emotions mixed with Imagination is a lethal combination. </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>Selfish, Petty, Ungrateful. Yep, I'd use those words to describe my silliness too. But give me a chance. Isn't acknowledgment the first step to recovery?? LOL. Fingers Crossed!!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>For now, my confused self is gonna pamper herself with a relaxing evening!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>Hasta La Vista Baby!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#33cc00;"><em>The Queen</em></span>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-54586991472349250922009-05-13T12:28:00.000-07:002009-05-13T13:20:24.158-07:00Communication Crisis<span style="color:#66ff99;">I</span><em><span style="color:#99ff99;"><span style="color:#66ff99;">'</span>ve had communication on the brain these past few days. It amazes me how many avenues of connecting with someone that are available to us today. </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;">The spoken word has taken on a whole new meaning in our advanced age of technology. Since the invention of the telephone, where for the first time people did not have to be face to face or in close proximity to hear each other's voice, communication has reached a level that exceeds what was ever thought possible. And every day we find more and more ways to further our connection with each other. We can use a telephone, computer, television, intercom system, voicemail, even electronic birthday cards to carry on a conversation or speak to a person who is not physically in our presence. </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;">The written word has moved beyond the ink and paper. There was a time when a letter or book was viewed and respected as a treasure, handled carefully and proudly shared with anyone who would listen. We can now send 'letters' all over the world with the push of a button. We text, email, instant message and blog with ease. </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;">Humanity has not been such a close knit group since the days following the great flood!</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;">Still, my wonderings have taken me to the thought, If communication is so accessible then why do we still fail so miserably? It seems these days that there is an undeniable lack of communication amongst families, coworkers, friends, governments, communities and really, society in general. Has the English language become too difficult and complicated for us to put together a cohesive sentence? Have we lost the art of speech and conversation? Have we dumbed ourselves down with the 'shortcuts' of communication because we are in too much of a hurry? Has OMG and TTYL turned our brains to mush?</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;">I don't think that is the issue. </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;">We are strong intricate creations with enough brain power and emotion and heart and soul to easily "reach out and touch someone" in any way we so choose. So what is the real problem? Why do we miss the mark so badly and so often? In my humble opinion, the true reason is, we've stopped saying what we mean and meaning what we say. We have the tools to successfully execute and we have the words to speak, what we don't have is the sense of value in what we say. We've lowered ourselves to pretty speech and empty words of promise or compliments that hold no worth. We smile on the outside while we are crying on the inside. We laugh when what we really want to do is cringe. We grin and bear it. We conjure up big words to sound like we've got it all together, when in reality, we have no clue what we are doing.</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;">It may work for a while, however, in time we realize just how far away from honestly knowing someone or being known for our true selves we really are. </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;">I want to be a person that you would always know where you stand. That when I say I love you, you know I mean it. When I say I'm sorry, you would know it's from the heart. Good communication breeds a level of trust that most people only dream about... I plan on keeping that dream my every day reality!!</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#99ff99;">~ The Queen~</span></em>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-73658738336978345412009-05-06T11:32:00.001-07:002009-05-06T14:01:02.229-07:00News Worthy!!<em><span style="color:#ff6600;">So I know it's been a while since I've blogged. I've been up to my eyeballs in wedding plans the past few months. I've also been busy blogging on our wedding website. I guess for while it will take the place of this blog, until I finally descend off of Cloud 9... ;-)</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">I just wanted to share some fun pictures with everyone. My work corkboard is like a breaking news bulletin with all kinds of Paul & I 'stuff'! I still wonder at the hand of God and how much creative power He has. Never in my wildest imagination (and believe me, I've got a very healthy imagination!!) did I ever conjure up a scenario as spectacular as these past few months. All I did was tell God that I would enjoy every step of the desert place and allow Him to prepare me for what He had in store for me. Once I took my hands off of my life, God stepped in and gave me my heart's desire... and then some!!</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde_HwptHnYfJ0Zhyphenhyphen2b-B1Lib0hge66ED1AwVyesAOsr4Uq5WZaemHVFi7Tc9q5-UCyGGSvzgcmTakZEp3nW4KUG9ZM1GYUbP2VzhU_vJDdTPF-fJMhcaqK3CWWG-x_50Ma7US/s1600-h/DSCN1073.JPG"><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332797341519436146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde_HwptHnYfJ0Zhyphenhyphen2b-B1Lib0hge66ED1AwVyesAOsr4Uq5WZaemHVFi7Tc9q5-UCyGGSvzgcmTakZEp3nW4KUG9ZM1GYUbP2VzhU_vJDdTPF-fJMhcaqK3CWWG-x_50Ma7US/s400/DSCN1073.JPG" border="0" /></span></em></a><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332783594037150706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 383px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9yKcRPyXSQSIcBSXOeL19zv5pCi_SnZ6mEVHGb0l38PAkOuQXKCY_tKAXShjrL2gyEly1mlegoRxWmBMD1Ghth2BclmA8Szxd4FLRqPskCD84eZL8yQrgt6EDLQbzkU0ixn3/s400/paperannouncement.small.JPG" border="0" /></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">So now, I am happily engaged to a man beyond my dreams and ready to start a new life. Which means... I am moving away from California. Something I never, ever thought I'd do. And, I'm leaving it for... Mississippi! WHAT?? Now that is just strange. No mountains! No OCEAN! No Palm Trees! No DISNEYLAND!!! No Del Taco and IN-N-OUT! Oy Vey!! (and that's just scratching the surface.) But if I stayed in California.... that means, No Paul. And that's not even an option. So, I will be living (at least for the time being) in Mississippi, where my heart is.</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"> </span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe88sacCHtdxtHdxm5oVBu9R3sI8_try9pe766bwzG0CcPQ7DWv0qKCHmIWDowpgM8VxRqDwGtICAk8Inu5Pb2bDcQaAGXO_LYOUYHbp5jAcOsYDaa2jViD0rBV9ewmN2DtwT/s1600-h/proposal.ringcloseup.jpg"><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332783607957005218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe88sacCHtdxtHdxm5oVBu9R3sI8_try9pe766bwzG0CcPQ7DWv0qKCHmIWDowpgM8VxRqDwGtICAk8Inu5Pb2bDcQaAGXO_LYOUYHbp5jAcOsYDaa2jViD0rBV9ewmN2DtwT/s400/proposal.ringcloseup.jpg" border="0" /></span></em></a><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"> (as you can see, he's been VERY good to me!!)<br /><br /></span></em><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPzBUhqvMtIVUjFZW3OFiJsqpY9LRaAe-ixPtuMkFs3e6gF9yztHPifieVwu218jN2HlNeqMg0oYKZDrskoVuEmrivwXOiuFtJZC76GiRTE63uW5awM9ZE9pt1UxlnArzsm2p/s1600-h/proposal.beach8.jpg"><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332783603428760114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPzBUhqvMtIVUjFZW3OFiJsqpY9LRaAe-ixPtuMkFs3e6gF9yztHPifieVwu218jN2HlNeqMg0oYKZDrskoVuEmrivwXOiuFtJZC76GiRTE63uW5awM9ZE9pt1UxlnArzsm2p/s400/proposal.beach8.jpg" border="0" /></span></em></a><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"> Here is a glimpse of the beach where we will be getting married... that's the Gulf of Mexico in the background. The sand is a beautiful pure white with enough seashells to keep any scavenger content all day long! We were there that day to check out the house we would be staying at and to take our engagement pictures. </span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">So, tonight (in less than 12 hours) I head back to Mississippi for quick trip to interview for a company that actually paid for my plane ticket! Of course I really really want to make sure and land a job before I come home, but also, the best thing is seeing Paul again for a couple of days... which is the highlight of my trip!!</span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">So stay tuned for more News Worthy stories in a couple of days!!</span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"><3</span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">The Queen 'B'<br /></span></em><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBOHocZvdzNz1Hw6GQWfO03fVGB6vN6XfTz1gINtiti6NFMS5UR0VxNbCIyBACglqHjo9IZBGzutrewOwG7xbDsel4zJcpg_k6PMKVmDP7qInDs1-nqYciM-lvWUZX0Z0yPpa/s1600-h/DSCN1072.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-86393841745813045522009-03-24T19:49:00.000-07:002009-03-24T19:53:49.479-07:00Life and the Living of it!<em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">Well, as promised, here is a post about Life, my Life... </span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">Boy has my life taken a right turn... So much has happened in such a short time and I couldn't be happier.... (well, I could be happier, but I know I just have to be patient, it's just around the corner!!) </span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">Cryptic enough for you? </span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">Alright, well since I've got to get back to living life (see previous posts to understand that!), I'll leave you with a link... read the story and you will understand ... </span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></em><br /><a href="http://www.momentville.com/PaulandCatherine"><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">http://www.momentville.com/PaulandCatherine</span></em></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">The Queen</span></em>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-11124505542651409892009-02-10T10:54:00.000-08:002009-02-10T11:21:29.784-08:00Instead of Talking...<div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;">I love to talk. </span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;">at times. </span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;">When it's a subject that interests me. </span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;">Or when it's with a person that stimulates my thought processes.</span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;"></span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;">And I got to thinking... a blog is a lot like talking. Granted it's a one sided conversation, but nevertheless, there's a subject being "discussed". </span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;"></span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;">I like to discuss life and living and current events and values and favorites and lists and music and movies and books... you name it, I'll have something to say about it! But as much as I enjoy sharing my opinions and view points (and if you know me even a little bit, you will agree that I can exhaust a subject at any given time!), I realized that I've been doing something a lot lately in place of talking. </span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;"></span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;">Instead of talking about life, I've been living it. Really, truly living life. All in, up to my eyeballs, grab the bull by the horns and hang on living. How scary! But talk about having the best time! Or, wait, not "talking about having the best time, HAVING the best time!</span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;"></span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;">So, if you've wondered why I'm not around as much... there's your answer. The life I've discussed over and over on this blog is now being lived, and lived to the fullest.</span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;"></span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;">(of course, I promise to come back from time to time just to update you on what a great time I'm having.... maybe.) :)</span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;"></span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;">Q. Cat</span></em></div><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff9900;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301250887911153794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 326px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9Kj0u2D6TPhE_xM8LeVsgx2Ypj6c_pJo4n-n0cS0MDmihxU9eF75Lzr6UX9FbYaYxHh80-jfFVRt_i1HHJaXW98gE7yEHSq32K7RMJIqZJ8yYvJB-3w-cIQZEaxmyP4d38sT/s400/heart.bmp" border="0" /></span></em></div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-42924021156860724132009-01-23T20:12:00.000-08:002009-01-23T20:39:34.806-08:00100th Post, & Patience....<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em>I tried to keep track of when my 100<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> post would come up and then life just carried me away and I forgot all about it! So even though this is 105, I want to just stop and commemorate reaching 100.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em>When I first started blogging, I had a very different <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">viewpoint</span> of how I would go about writing about my life. I have had a lot of fun sharing facts, fiction, opinions & feelings with whomever was willing to read it.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em>I generally love to give my viewpoint anyways, so a blog is right up my alley. But then I didn't keep up with like I should... that's my procrastination side of me. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">LOL</span>. Regardless, here I am with, finally, 100+ posts in the bag.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em>I'll try to make sure there are plenty more where these came from!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em>So today for my post I wanted to talk about impatience.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em>I'm a very internalizing type of person. Not many people get a chance to really know how I'm feeling deep down inside. I seem to manage my emotions best when I keep them to myself. Some people have to talk things out. That is not me. I need to let them stew and sit inside as I look them over and try to figure them all out. Every once in a while they will boil over and spew all over the unlucky victim at the time, but for the most part, I'm a pretty even keeled person.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em>So back to impatience. I've noticed even more lately how impatient I've become. I can't tell you the conversations I've had with people who try my patience. Of course, they would never know because those conversations are all in my head! I am impatient for an event to happen, I'm impatient for time to pass, for the results to come in, for someone to spit out a sentence. For someone to figure out what they want to do. For the phone to ring. For food to finish cooking. For stoplights to turn green. I tell you. It's bad. It's something I know I need to work on, but I get too impatient to let the process take place. Yes, it's a vicious circle. </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em>Internally, I groan and complain and let whatever is going on around me pass me by. I want to stop and smell the roses. To take time to enjoy or live in the moment. My pastor spoke about being in the desert place (like when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness). That we shouldn't scorn that place in our lives. It's a place of preparation for things to come. A place of growing and learning. I used to think that being in a desert place in life (when nothing is happening or things aren't coming to fruition like they should) was a bad thing. That I did something wrong... but now, I realize that the only way to get to where I want to go, is through the desert. But, impatient me wants to run, not walk, even fly through that stage of life and get to the next place quickly. I'm starting to realize that this would only handicap me once I got there, and I would not be able to handle all that is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">in store</span> for me. Lord help me achieve the virtue of patience.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em>I've been in the desert. I do want to get to the promised land. But I guess I should stop, relax and look at the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">scenery</span>. There's nothing like a desert sunset. And the stars shine so much brighter in the desert! I know the dreams I have are just beyond the horizon, if I'm patient enough to survive the desert long enough to get there....</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc9933;"><em>The Q.</em></span>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-4649089073490931722009-01-20T11:40:00.001-08:002009-01-20T12:35:53.730-08:00An Amazing Day To Be Alive...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kD0dw9rjw1F5ECfKWQkalR8f6oSiz4QqX1jM8GoipkWf_oj_-271kVgFWqpF7o8DlIhIOfVqvumaW3NMYwpJbhyphenhyphenr5KSj0HAs5B5haD9RG9X7x3WQsJQmIoIBfUJvvt4qYYSN/s1600-h/alive.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293473280996090002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kD0dw9rjw1F5ECfKWQkalR8f6oSiz4QqX1jM8GoipkWf_oj_-271kVgFWqpF7o8DlIhIOfVqvumaW3NMYwpJbhyphenhyphenr5KSj0HAs5B5haD9RG9X7x3WQsJQmIoIBfUJvvt4qYYSN/s400/alive.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">I am reminded again today, what an amazing time in history I live in.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">As I've watched all morning the Inauguration events of the 44th president of the United States of America and witnessed the historical moments taking place, I feel alive. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">I feel alive because of the concern I have for our country and our world. For the feeling of expectancy that has come over me for the future. For the dismay I feel as I listen to the wording of speeches and interviews, knowing none is said by accident or coincidence. For the joy that I have for a future brighter than ever before. For the peace I feel knowing that nevertheless, God is in control. For the patriotism I feel for the country I love despite our flaws. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">I am alive because I can feel. No matter the range of emotions, it's exhilarating to live in such exciting times. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">Agree or disagree with our new president, it's time to back the office, which is different then backing an individual. With respect to the different views of other bloggers who may read this, I have reasons to feel trepidation toward the man now holding the highest office in the world. But, I believe that this nation still finds favor with God and so I back the office and administration that leads our nation. I urge everyone to do the same.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">Breathe. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">All is well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">No reason for fear or doubt. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">The world is in His hands. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">I am in His hands. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">...And He has allowed me to live.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#33ff33;">What an Amazing Day to be Alive!</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#66cccc;">I'M ALIVE</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#66cccc;">(Celine Dion)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#66cccc;">I get wings to fly<br />Oh I'm alive...<br /><br />When you call on me<br />When I hear you breathe<br />I get wings to fly<br />I feel that I’m alive<br /><br />When you look at me<br />I can touch the sky<br />I know that I’m alive<br /><br />When you bless the day<br />I just drift away<br />All my worries die<br />I’m glad that I’m alive<br /><br />You’ve set my heart on fire<br />Filled me with love<br />Made me a woman<br />On clouds above<br /><br />I couldn’t get much higher<br />My spirit takes flight<br />Cause I am alive<br /><br />When you call on me<br />When I hear you breathe<br />I feel that I’m alive<br />I am alive<br /><br />When you reach for me<br />Raising spirits high<br />God knows that<br /><br />That I’ll be the one<br />Standing by<br />Through good and<br />Through trying times<br /><br />And it’s only begun<br />I can’t wait for the<br />Rest of my life<br /><br />I know that I’m alive<br /><br />I get wings to fly<br />God knows that I’m alive</span></div><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293474005196967586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGUliA7DwcfaZDacKViMoj5_5UzF6E1WnEkMdZl-w61mbaR9o3W_3dx6635qu0JPoQDQSyQuVzh8N4s7gKOrDh_NoHCo66sqOzBT8TJPUKaSHPUGPaEhGUGawXQuWGba_p5fV/s400/DSCN0120.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">God</span> <span style="color:#ffffff;">Bless</span> <span style="color:#3366ff;">America!</span></span></span></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#ffff66;">~The Queen~</span></em></div><div><span style="color:#666666;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#666666;"></span></div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-90022181384154162882009-01-05T10:25:00.000-08:002009-01-05T11:06:04.386-08:00My Favorite Way to Start the Year... Blogger Style!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFggibEqRYVtjWHsZyWBHOP3HTgML22VyLLEqIwVgKwJhgBOcHAzNMLLKdRYmivH391wfdur-uopnIn598rCOqinXUAiiFurNDgUswtzwWcyga0jFxbvznN2V3K3Q_zQ8G5gt/s1600-h/my-favorite-things%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287878560779361362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFggibEqRYVtjWHsZyWBHOP3HTgML22VyLLEqIwVgKwJhgBOcHAzNMLLKdRYmivH391wfdur-uopnIn598rCOqinXUAiiFurNDgUswtzwWcyga0jFxbvznN2V3K3Q_zQ8G5gt/s400/my-favorite-things%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">So, it's been 12 <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">very</span></strong> short months and here I am again to write down my current favorite things.... you can go back to the one I did in December 2007 (for 2008) to see the similarities and differences that a year makes.... here goes:</span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite Book: I don't have just one favorite this year!</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite DVD: P.S. I Love You and Dan in Real Life<br />My Favorite CD: Gavin DeGraw<br />My Favorite "Toy": My new laptop (yay me!)<br />My Favorite Color: Green<br />My Favorite Skirt: Black short skirt with ruffled bottom<br />My Favorite Shoes: Black Marc Fisher Heels<br />My Favorite Lunch: a Lean Cuisine<br />My Favorite Website to browse: Facebook!<br />My Favorite Song: Gavin DeGraw - "I Have You To Thank"<br />My Favorite Church Song: "Beautiful" / "God With Us"<br />My Favorite Comfort Quirk: Scratching my ears with a bobbypin (seriously it's so relaxing)(same as 2007/2008)<br />My Favorite P.J.'s: My .04 Seconds Derek Fisher T-Shirt</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite Blanket: Leopard Fuzzy Blanket<br />My Favorite Cable Channel: Food Network/HGTV/Style Network<br />My Favorite Cable Show (non-food network): Jon & Kate Plus 8 / Top Chef / Who's Wedding is it Anyways / What Not To Wear</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite Food Network Show: Iron Chef (same as 2007/2008)<br />My Favorite TV Sitcom: The Office!<br />My Favorite Athlete: Kobe Bryant / Derek Fisher<br />My Favorite Current Singer: Michael Buble (same as 2007/2008)<br />My Favorite American Idol Contestant: Elliott Yamin & David Cook </span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite Candy Bar: Big Chunk<br />My Favorite Restaurant: Steakhouse 55 / Lucca's<br />My Favorite Food: Lobster Bisque / Caesar Salad<br />My Favorite Drink: Tied between Iced Tea / Diet Coke (same as 2007/2008) & Cherry Coke!<br />My Favorite Starbucks Drink: Grande Hazelnut Hot Chocolate<br />My Favorite Eye Candy: Michael Buble & Wenworth Miller</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite Clothing: My camis, jean jackets, belted tops</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite Screen Legend (Male): James Stewart (same as 2007/2008)<br />My Favorite Screen Legend (Female): Doris Day (same as 2007/2008)<br />My Favorite Current Actor: Steve Carrell<br />My Favorite Current Actress: Reese Witherspoon<br />My Favorite Time of Day: Early Evening<br />My Favorite Show to Watch at Bedtime: Friends<br />My Favorite Daydream: Moving, Working for RTD Productions full time, One or two other dreams... lol<br />My Favorite Romantic Daydream: Hmmm... having Michael Buble and Wentworth Miller fight for my affections! LOL<br />My Favorite Online Service: Paying my bills and reconnecting with old friends!<br />My Favorite Fun Website: FACEBOOK, Blogger, Myspace, NBA.com<br />My Favorite Blog: The Daily Bee, and my own!<br />My Favorite Accessory: HATS!, Belts, Headbands & Sunglasses<br />My Favorite Blast from the Past: Where to start?! Kamye, Rebekah, Paul, Yvonne, Rita, John, Phillip, Michael, Jennifer, etc....<br />My Favorite Friend: Brenda Nicklas (same as 2008)<br />My Favorite Indulgence: European Pedicures and Spa Facials<br />My Favorite Scent: Pineapple Cilantro (same as 2008)<br />My Favorite Body Scent: Victoria Secret's "Pure Seduction"<br />My Favorite Scripture: II Corinthians 4:7-9 (same as 2008)<br />My Favorite Store: Macy's / Nordstrom</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">New for 2009</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite Activity: Being with my family and friends.. doesn't matter what we do!</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite Place to Spend a Saturday Afternoon: Either on a picnic or at the mall </span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite OC Place: Orange Circle</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite Facebook Friend: Has to be John Aoki! He is so entertaining! ha ha ha</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My Favorite Long Distance Friend: Hmm, I'd say Yvonne Aune. Although San Diego isn't too far!</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;">Once again, there you have it! Some things are the same, others have really changed drastically.... </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;">So we shall see in 12 months what changes are made... </span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;">The Queen </span></div><div> </div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-73858788286452169682008-12-23T17:00:00.000-08:002008-12-23T17:02:28.282-08:00<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;"><em><strong>Happy 80th Birthday Gramps .. </strong></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;"><em><strong>Our Favorite Christmas Angel...</strong></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;"><em><strong>...I miss you more than words can say...</strong></em></span><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;"></span></em></strong>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-22042627414139075702008-12-19T12:45:00.000-08:002008-12-19T13:32:42.551-08:00Wintery Days in Southern California, Christmas Photoshoots and Christmas Decor...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiddsvu0SXsq0vzFe87cr4OeHAJ0ueKVOZvkz762kIjceO5fFBczBHhYzbFnK6Vpxu_5pw_su3IRn5noUG7CWY_Ek36SWaH45a3xw3sKw9T357iHx3x5qgLgogihcjHQy1GkZ/s1600-h/tis+the+season.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281616569880401842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiddsvu0SXsq0vzFe87cr4OeHAJ0ueKVOZvkz762kIjceO5fFBczBHhYzbFnK6Vpxu_5pw_su3IRn5noUG7CWY_Ek36SWaH45a3xw3sKw9T357iHx3x5qgLgogihcjHQy1GkZ/s400/tis+the+season.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span><span style="color:#cc9933;">I had nothing Christmasy on here I thought I would just post some pictures taken recently during this holiday season...</span></div><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">So yes, it really does snow in Southern California... granted it's way up in the San Bernardino Mountains (Home to Lake Arrowhead, Arrow Bear and Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake and Bladwin Lake (where our mountain house is located.)) ... but the spectacular scenery alone makes the drive to work on a clear crisp morning so very enjoyable! Here's some pictures taken a couple of days ago ...</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="color:#cc9933;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281608808052383842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmZPOhns7Y6xypUhfp6iUAh-1jBYFB5CBK35nC_SWgR3FmpbcW_vXBa_7WA_27JE4umt6E9Og4wi7WR6ouNcB3TCB5_d5nTubrTK5pEGoPUm6GQYKTe3VLtUVSDr2jjbIyxfA/s400/Snowmountains.3.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#cc9933;">Rainy Days<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281608819496417058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXKZGhf-RhJKzRT7bsGxbVJ6JMv1BGLeFWTgqHL3YcuTJ9MZfHzg0uv60n04WVaq-maEthYOxevmi2cuEki-P36OGBvXVBRmvnjrr_-s3ApnLg4SDsIzgqbozPtwe92B7jNcu/s400/snowymountains.1.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#cc9933;">Very SoCal! Palm Trees and Snowy Mountains...<br /></span></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281608821399282578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6BRUnKvltScAhhbuZpAMYjQRWLoGT4-IMhsiN0aS2_UL8MGtrFC6mhBv1q7Bd3vvj46Upec0d1iKxzrbxBHMurobmwapMg9BJzPhUdviiZZnInK0wUJ_KUy5YiDIAzf93C9o/s400/Snowymountains.2.JPG" border="0" /> In the left hand mid corner there is a church steeple.. that's the famous Crystal Catherdral where they have Glory of Christmas playing nightly....<br /></span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#cc9933;">~~~~</span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#cc9933;">So! I finally decorated my office today... I've been under the weather and haven't felt like doing much, but finally felt festive enough to get things decorated... now I feel so much more cheery sitting here at my desk for 8 hours a day!! I've been with this company for over 4 years and have spent 5 christmases with them... and these are the SAME decorations from every year! Next year I vow to get new decorations!! (I just keep arranging them differently so it feels new and fresh. Ha!)</span></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_4ka9h0njxIA6tg79a57g1Vqypiz4GBcTs7FvvaVBMHuvmSccjeJAaflr7ofamvrO1q9UWBHkKlwQmldz44HTNI2R5VborFOZAvk5I6J3jTOCwpyd_A3j7F5fNkDbzzMynfj/s1600-h/DSCN2506.JPG"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281610565901727010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_4ka9h0njxIA6tg79a57g1Vqypiz4GBcTs7FvvaVBMHuvmSccjeJAaflr7ofamvrO1q9UWBHkKlwQmldz44HTNI2R5VborFOZAvk5I6J3jTOCwpyd_A3j7F5fNkDbzzMynfj/s400/DSCN2506.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#cc9933;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">I wish my computer screen was magic and I could jump in and be there by the fire with all that beautiful decor and ambience!<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginRBfIK2XqBNLq3kkBi0wFHaPnf9bbkyxDRXl1Kli9Ypa0aiR_OPXuS4Fi9ynhBHApTViPzziQML8qiQEZuNqD8_IrL9eKb0XLEbBgR_qq1lXUTuzwabOwqDTIghQVx54EXfY/s1600-h/DSCN2474.JPG"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281611471840469810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginRBfIK2XqBNLq3kkBi0wFHaPnf9bbkyxDRXl1Kli9Ypa0aiR_OPXuS4Fi9ynhBHApTViPzziQML8qiQEZuNqD8_IrL9eKb0XLEbBgR_qq1lXUTuzwabOwqDTIghQVx54EXfY/s400/DSCN2474.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#cc9933;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DcxDvfZR4f_k0F9RdhaQ7DlB6rzOL2IbYRbxtKObnmF-iqFgQlBKe4R1j2b4J-N1xNZjzGw1DifFoOEB6rn0tzUI0xY4lZuRkqWYOobFidQF8JhLch0WwmWBnJtpsiPk2vsy/s1600-h/DSCN2494.JPG"><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></a></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">My pitiful little tree... ha ha ha</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DcxDvfZR4f_k0F9RdhaQ7DlB6rzOL2IbYRbxtKObnmF-iqFgQlBKe4R1j2b4J-N1xNZjzGw1DifFoOEB6rn0tzUI0xY4lZuRkqWYOobFidQF8JhLch0WwmWBnJtpsiPk2vsy/s1600-h/DSCN2494.JPG"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281611128311056818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DcxDvfZR4f_k0F9RdhaQ7DlB6rzOL2IbYRbxtKObnmF-iqFgQlBKe4R1j2b4J-N1xNZjzGw1DifFoOEB6rn0tzUI0xY4lZuRkqWYOobFidQF8JhLch0WwmWBnJtpsiPk2vsy/s400/DSCN2494.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGvv2diJb2oKG12Hw_vMN0lX3umNB1iB28Fbrc8_2e5Zr1yHfq5VTovJ7S403lbbQ8lbH0DyMMbmK8GOQuVgAsUEg7m-DFO0hjPKwAGbb250q43QjdRv4IP8xIRj41UrHriy1/s1600-h/DSCN2480.JPG"><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">A little vintage twist of my office...</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGvv2diJb2oKG12Hw_vMN0lX3umNB1iB28Fbrc8_2e5Zr1yHfq5VTovJ7S403lbbQ8lbH0DyMMbmK8GOQuVgAsUEg7m-DFO0hjPKwAGbb250q43QjdRv4IP8xIRj41UrHriy1/s1600-h/DSCN2480.JPG"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281610841954354978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGvv2diJb2oKG12Hw_vMN0lX3umNB1iB28Fbrc8_2e5Zr1yHfq5VTovJ7S403lbbQ8lbH0DyMMbmK8GOQuVgAsUEg7m-DFO0hjPKwAGbb250q43QjdRv4IP8xIRj41UrHriy1/s400/DSCN2480.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">He's so cute and round... (o:</span></div><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#cc9933;">~~~~</span></p><p><span style="color:#cc9933;">As is becoming our custom, the siblings went off to an exotic, amazing gorgeous location to take their annual Christmas photo for the folks.... okay, so it was a local regional park.... still, it was pretty amazing. I think we all managed to get behind the camera at least once, with many of us in FRONT of the camera more often than not... (okay, so we are somewhat of the "ham" variety when it comes to picture time!) Well, the scenery really shines through and we all really liked the pictures. And, believe it or not, we did not coordinate our outfits! We just naturally all picked something similar... I guess that's how strong our bond is as a family... ha ha ha.</span></p><br /><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubVkqUk_W8iy5wy2N7VXJTk6FyKkCg0JWFLLe7ihQsZk-tcZS039jaxxCzQqGTJybaWMcQXWmn0PjccZiES0xDoTmxjt1PvPO8JZLCZEOr2ul9y1aUPA9VX8Oj9dnptLae_y6/s1600-h/Christmas08.soniaandI.jpg"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281614058880777986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 302px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 344px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubVkqUk_W8iy5wy2N7VXJTk6FyKkCg0JWFLLe7ihQsZk-tcZS039jaxxCzQqGTJybaWMcQXWmn0PjccZiES0xDoTmxjt1PvPO8JZLCZEOr2ul9y1aUPA9VX8Oj9dnptLae_y6/s400/Christmas08.soniaandI.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /></p><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">My Sister-in-law Sonia and I... vamping it up (accidentally of course!)<br /></span><br /><div></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfD3FOCV-MAaGduNT3yn7ZDbkHRVqSWeR8Q1jK4lCZ9u_YpmGw7nExlb7NiJpEzgRu-a4-8EF_6k4GZMi-cRku_ZYpMCMH8FmNM32wushLEPEUHRsjf_Q6Vc7TU-5BZZpqUiZ/s1600-h/Christmas08.EileenandI.jpg"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281614065805145250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 329px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfD3FOCV-MAaGduNT3yn7ZDbkHRVqSWeR8Q1jK4lCZ9u_YpmGw7nExlb7NiJpEzgRu-a4-8EF_6k4GZMi-cRku_ZYpMCMH8FmNM32wushLEPEUHRsjf_Q6Vc7TU-5BZZpqUiZ/s400/Christmas08.EileenandI.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#cc9933;">My best friend and cousin, Eileen & I</span></p><br /><p align="left"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtAOGc5748daNXyGaNKh4zMBl3vJ0KNQHC642a-gXMsQnXnmy23QmDSC7F-Jax1gZpV7ld0iDK-UKGrNF_RiR2DJcFdYVTtabeAXeGBqxAQSpmela3S_cUY00M5-ZcrnXuA7i/s1600-h/Christmas08.peterandI.jpg"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281614074058698354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtAOGc5748daNXyGaNKh4zMBl3vJ0KNQHC642a-gXMsQnXnmy23QmDSC7F-Jax1gZpV7ld0iDK-UKGrNF_RiR2DJcFdYVTtabeAXeGBqxAQSpmela3S_cUY00M5-ZcrnXuA7i/s400/Christmas08.peterandI.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /></p><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">Peter and I on a bridge... apparently holding on for dear life for some reason... ha ha ha<br /><br /></span><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmpr38z5zx0R-t193wFbHbmERdBiClUfG9pSdnZRVhWTHs0WdhhmLC1hgTPCLeRbQplHOtd5GmfmTjC6OxeVtJLnRhJsc4KNlsFVQ1KGzG0zP1wxK9jASgn4h8bjv1hB2INqB/s1600-h/Christmas08.debandI.jpg"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281614060764467154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmpr38z5zx0R-t193wFbHbmERdBiClUfG9pSdnZRVhWTHs0WdhhmLC1hgTPCLeRbQplHOtd5GmfmTjC6OxeVtJLnRhJsc4KNlsFVQ1KGzG0zP1wxK9jASgn4h8bjv1hB2INqB/s400/Christmas08.debandI.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><span style="color:#cc9933;">The Clan - Sonia, Peter, Catherine, Deborah & David....<br /></span><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><span style="color:#ff6600;">What a wonderful morning that was.. the memories alone were worth more than the picture (which is apparently worth 1,000 words....) ... (o:</span><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">Until next time, I hope everyone is wrapping up their Christmas shopping and getting ready to enjoy the best reason for the season - LOVE.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">tootles!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff6600;">The Queen..</span></div><br /><div></div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-19623967407907779002008-11-27T15:00:00.000-08:002008-11-27T15:19:29.528-08:00Thanksgiving at its Best....<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Oh Happy Turkey Day .. Oh Happy Turkey Day!!!</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;">So much to write about and the day is only half over... but I wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving and reflect on this year a little...</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;">One thing that really sticks out in my mind are the friends I've made this past year... Now that I look back, I've met some amazing people this year. And none in the conventional way! There are people that I've met along the way this year that have found a way into my heart like my blogger buddies... friends of friends that I've met on facebook or myspace or blogger... people whom I've worked with and stayed in touch for once.. ha ha ha. Friends from the past who have either found me or I found them again after more than 10 years of separation. Even long distance cousins whom I've built a new friendship with... there are even people I would consider my friend that I've never even met in person... </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;">Friends are the people you can run to when your family is driving you crazy! Friends are the people who make you laugh and hug it out when you feel like crying. Or the people who compliment and cheer you on with sincere enthusiasm. Or the people who can drop you a word of encouragement without needing to know the whole story.... </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;">I love these people. If you are reading this, you are probably one of them.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;">So today, as I thank God for my family and my life and all His bountiful blessings, I say a very extra special Thank You for Friendship... I've never valued it quite like I do today and I sincerely appreciate all those who call me friend. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;">Also, to all my tried and true old friends... having all these new friends has taken me back to the beginning of our friendships and if I've never said thank you before, I want you to know that I know what it takes to put up with me and I don't think there are words to adequately show you my love and appreciation for sticking by me at all times. So simply today, Thanksgiving... Thank You.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6600;">I love you all and wish you bountiful baskets of blessings this season...</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff6600;"><em>The Queen.</em></span>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-16179892952292030452008-11-17T11:30:00.000-08:002008-11-17T12:38:15.483-08:00Can I Tell You A Secret?<span style="color:#ccccff;">So, I try to keep as far away from teenage drama and angst and growing pains and all that for the sake of not dredging up all the embarrassing memories that come with it. However, last night, I was once again reminded as to why I'm so happy to have left those years far behind. Granted, there are days and moments that I realize some things just never change... but this is one story that can stay in the teenage years.</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">Okay so, let's start at the very beginning... </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">Only the names have been changed to protect </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">the daft corny person who this story is about! </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">LOL.</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">Last night I was sitting in our bonus room watching the Thanksgiving Iron Chef showdown and kind of dozing in and out of sleep. (it was well after midnight at this point...) I felt so cozy and comfy in my fuzzy robe with visions of a Thanksgiving feast before my eyes.</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">Someone, male, 17 years old... let's call him Bill, was in the family room talking on the phone and playing music on his laptop. </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">For a long time. </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">It was obvious he was talking to a girl, and every now and again I could hear snippets of his conversation at which point I'd shush him and tell him he was too loud. (Hello, Iron Chef's are battling here... way more important than a teenager's phone conversation!)</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">I really started to sink into dreamland when I was awakened by movement. I think Bill had gotten up and was either in the kitchen or bathroom or something, but my eyes were closed so I couldn't be sure. Then I heard it...</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">"Can I tell you a secret?" WHAT?! ha ha ha... I was a bit more awake when he said it again..."Can I tell you a secret?" Great. Now I was easedropping unintentionally (the worse kind of easedropping!). But what was I to do. I groggily tried to register what Bill was saying to this mystery girl.</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">I don't think she could hear him to well either because he had to repeat himself again.</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">"Can I tell you a secret?" *long pause* "I like you." *embarrassed chuckle*</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">Awwwww. Bill usually plays the suave 17 going on 37 type of guy. To hear him be so vulnerable and embarrassed was... disconcerting and weird. An uncomfortable squirm went through me. I shouldn't be hearing this. Yet, it was a car wreck... now I had to know who he was talking to.</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">I contemplated getting up to go to bed, but the couch was so comfy and plus it was such an akward moment for Bill, that I felt glued in place. I must have dozed a bit more. Then Bill's music came on again and I was once again easedropping on this uncomfortable teenage conversation.</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">Bill: "So, I know this girl... her name starts with a P. She is very nice, has beautiful eyes, is kind of masculine, but not too much (okay at this point I think that's what I heard (the masculine part) but, please God I hope I just didn't hear right!), she is amazing, unlike any girl I've ever known... Do you know anyone like that? Do you know who this chick is that I'm talking about? Yeah her name is Prudy. You know her?" </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">(uh, it was obvious he was talking to Prudy about Prudy...) </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">More chuckles and low laughs. More "what"s and "huh?"s. (Seriously, I think they need to invest in a hearing aid or two. Or, maybe they thought what the other person was saying was too good to be true and they wanted to hear it again just to make sure. Bill sure was repeating himself a lot I noticed.) </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">Then silence. (man that girl sure can talk a lot.) Then Bill says, "Oh she's more than interesting, she's, she's, she's, ..... well, she's like a diamond. Beautiful and sparkling in every way." (this was said very smugly, like... "yeah, she's hooked now....) </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ccccff;">(It reminded ME of Mary Poppins. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ccccff;">"Simply Perfect in Every Way." CORNY.)</span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">Okay. That did it. It was too painful to listen to any more of this corny business. I was wide awake now and my pillows were calling for me. I got up, turned everything off and walked past Bill to go down the hall. He waved and said goodnight to me and looked a little startled. (I bet he forgot I was there.) I reminded him of how late it was and he shooed me away with a flick of his wrist. As I exited the room a looked back and said... "Say hello to Prudy for me." </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">And I marched off to bed shaking my head ... teenagers. LOL.</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">So now I'm contemplating... </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">What I really want to do so badly is when I get home from work, walk right up to Bill and with a very serious face ask him... </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">"Can I Tell You A Secret?"</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">hmmm. I just might have to do that. </span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">Too good of an opportunity to miss...</span><br /><span style="color:#ccccff;">The Queen.</span>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-5074168158671821792008-11-11T09:50:00.000-08:002008-11-11T09:58:03.712-08:00The Speculation of a Chicken<span style="color:#ff6600;">So, now that the elections are over and the horror and dismay or elation and excitement have subsided... it's time to get down to the nitty gritty issues of our country. There is a burning question that has plagued politicians, celebrities, therapists, doctors, chefs, newscasters and the common man. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Who has the right answer? </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Who can bring a solution to that age old question: </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road???</span></strong></div><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">And the Answers are In:</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">SARAH PALIN: Before it got to the other side, I shot the chicken, cleaned and dressed it, and had chicken burgers for lunch.<br /><br />BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a change! The chicken wanted change! And that is what you will have in your pocket after I'm done....a little change.<br /><br />JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.<br /><br />HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.<br /><br />GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.<br /><br />DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?<br /><br />COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.<br /><br />BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of chicken?<br /><br />AL GORE: I invented the chicken..<br /><br />JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now and will remain against it.<br /><br />AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.<br /><br />DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken doesn't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.<br /><br />OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.<br /><br />ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed access to the other side of the road.<br /><br />NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.<br /><br />PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.<br /><br />MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.<br /><br />DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.<br /><br />ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.<br /><br />GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.<br /><br />BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart-warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.<br /><br />ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.<br /><br />JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.<br /><br />BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken 2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken 2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never crash or need to be rebooted..<br /><br />ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?<br /><br />COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one? </span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;">WHO'S RIGHT? WHO'S WRONG? NO ONE KNOWS......</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Chicken Soup for Your Funny Bone...</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">The Queen!</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"> </div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-32968338312960332792008-11-04T16:34:00.001-08:002008-11-04T16:38:36.089-08:00McVoted!<div align="center"><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ccffff;">Today, Election Day. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ccffff;">Wow.</span> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff6666;">A page out of the History Books of America the Beautiful.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">I Voted For the "Best" Man!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">I Voted for Life!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">I Voted for Marriage!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">I Voted because I love my country.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff6666;">I McVoted!!!</span></div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264966005625706162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbrLEocusKMssSfAKRVx51_BfLl2lOo-bLHsg-JoZcpITymPj2zzPk8HNgnBvaagtIGOmiapILD3SmRHJbHT047ttbdbLkaAoo30auINI_bDIgFFDgfQ8F27qJOKROAWpJhOO/s400/mcvote.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccffff;">Did you?</span></strong></div><p align="center"><br /> </p><div align="center"></div><p align="center"><br /> </p><div align="center"><span style="color:#99ff99;">~The Queen~</span></div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-46822431001046196502008-10-30T09:43:00.000-07:002008-10-30T10:51:00.110-07:00Let's Face It....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczXaaoAHo_asRI83hE-kZ-E2bx8aHkXEMwwOIL2bZVujLDPiwBlBwqc3QJ6AuSvcfDEX1NC75RodFCKge9-U5eXkyFgNhkkJkPuka1y_CzIEAOksiXvTy13-0bgneRSracGZ0/s1600-h/journey.jpg"><span style="color:#cc9933;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263004692060107346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczXaaoAHo_asRI83hE-kZ-E2bx8aHkXEMwwOIL2bZVujLDPiwBlBwqc3QJ6AuSvcfDEX1NC75RodFCKge9-U5eXkyFgNhkkJkPuka1y_CzIEAOksiXvTy13-0bgneRSracGZ0/s400/journey.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#cc9933;"><br /></span><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">Let's face it. Life never goes according to plan. I've come to realize that no matter how hard I plan something out on paper, the end result usually only has a vague resemblance to the image I pictured when I started out.</span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">Take my LIFE for instance. Boy, have things really not gone the way I had imagined them to go. I started planning my wedding when I was 13 years old. I subscribed to Modern Bride and meticulously tore out my "favorites". I still have a few of those pages tucked in a binder and let me tell you, those 80's shoulder pads will NEVER be stylish in my eyes again. (please, oh please don't bring them back... please...!) The gaudy beading and lace and rhinestones and puffy mutton legged sleeves. Hilarious. I had my songs picked out (a little vintage Michael Bolton anyone?). I had my colors picked out. Even my menu was carefully selected and written down. </span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">Needless to say. None of those items happened. No shoulder pads, no mutton legs, no peach cobbler served in a martini glass. </span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">No wedding. (and it's now 20 years later.) </span></div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">Okay, so what. </span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">I've survived. </span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">I'm fine. </span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">I didn't combust or explode or die a slow, romantic, lonely, painful death from a broken heart. Luckily, the longing is a slight whisper now, instead of this nagging bullhorn in my ear.</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">Moving on.</span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">So, I had always thought I would be a young mother and a housewife. Well, with no man in sight, those ideas never left the page either. </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">Okay, so career. I thought, hmmm. Maybe, I'll be a teacher or a boutique owner or a musician. </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">ixNay on the areerCay... Those didn't really happen either. </span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">Yes, I did teach briefly (realizing, a teacher's salary works best when it's a secondary income.. but hellloooo... no man, no primary income to fall back on!), and I do play the piano and sing - (my piano playing is all smoke and mirrors). </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">Oy Vey! Sounds too depressing... moving on quickly now...</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">Now, on to the unexpected. Yes, life is not what I planned it out to be. </span><span style="color:#cc9933;">I'd be lying if I said with extreme enthusiam, "It's Way Better!!!!". </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">But I can confidently say, life is good. </span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;">The aspects of my life that are unplanned, make life worth living and oh so much more interesting. I never expected to go from a shy timid girl to working on starring in a tv show. Or to have actually made it to a recording studio, or produce a short film, or head up a ministry at church, or to have authored my own line of children's lesson series. I never expected to find my best friends right under my nose. Who knew these three bratty, annoying, much younger siblings would be the best part of my life? I never expected to find out what an awesome person I really am. Who knew I had such a killer personality? I didn't! LOL!!! I never expected to be independent and strong. (remember, my plan was to rely on someone forever.) I never expected to experience life in such an interesting, broad manner. I never expected to be fearless or to leave the secure emotional bubble I lived in. </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">Mostly, I never expected to be content with whatever life brings me. (ALMOST completely content...)</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">None of these surprises would have happened if I had sailed the course I had charted for myself... the life I love right now wouldn't exist. </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">So, lesson learned. </span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">I'm a natural planner, so it's so difficult for me to sit back and let go of the control I so desparately want to maintain. However, as I struggle on, I do so with a smile, because who knows what could be "just around the riverbend?" (thanks for that line Disney!) There is something always just over the horizon, and I found out that my job isn't to place that "something" there, or map out the course to get to it. I've just got to put one foot in front of the other, no pen and paper, no lists, just Faith.</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">When, I finally let go and just live, Life is Beautiful.</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">Let's face it, the unexpected parts of life are the times we are truly alive...</span></div><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"><br /></span></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9966;">Food for Thought~</span></em></strong></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9966;">The Queen</span></em></strong></div><div></div><div></div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-81545997785840902712008-10-27T09:07:00.000-07:002008-10-27T09:34:12.071-07:00Tiffany & Co.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSgm8MgzfHlUUcmVefvmQeawa1iZi8ypSrWzSKrp-5UjHI-b2rE_wkUPD-fIg7Ylvnu37FgrX8LRyDTx4g3ajDMJYg1qmIEXOFgGT3Wvvu_eReWG8ZLFXpiI8kb6NIW-09KlR/s1600-h/tiffany.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261872418205053330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 279px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSgm8MgzfHlUUcmVefvmQeawa1iZi8ypSrWzSKrp-5UjHI-b2rE_wkUPD-fIg7Ylvnu37FgrX8LRyDTx4g3ajDMJYg1qmIEXOFgGT3Wvvu_eReWG8ZLFXpiI8kb6NIW-09KlR/s400/tiffany.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">Well... the day has come. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">And not in any way that we would have expected it. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">Tiffany, our beloved, old lady, almost 18 year old doggie has returned to her creator. I believe with all my heart that she was designed and created especially for our family. It never really dawned on me before, but the more I think about it, the more I am convinced that God does bless us with special creations just for us. Tiffany wasn't meant for any other family. She was a perfect fit. I always said that Love was what keep her going all these years. She exceeded her life expectation by a large margin and I think God just knew that we weren't ready to part with her yet...</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">As she got older and started to act elderly, we struggled with the best course of action for her life. What to do, what to do? She wasn't sickly or terminally ill. She had aches in her joints, her eyesight wasn't what it used to be, she never made it to the grass anymore and her hearing was about shot. But, that was no reason to put her down.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">Well, last night, when we came home from church, Deb (poor poor Deb) happened to glance up the main street a bit and saw her, lying on the curb. Hit by a car. Gone.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">We will never understand how that happened. She never left our house area, even though we gave her free range and never locked her in the back yard or anything. She could hardly walk because of her arthritis and the main street is very far from our house. (a good 700 or so feet.) </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">My parents say that they think she knew her time was coming and ran away from home (as animals will do that ... they go off by themselves to die). My mom had just fed her about 20 minutes before, so she was so shocked and sad.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">We called my brother, David and he got to the house and just wept and wept. Peter (Tiffany was really his dog), cried like a baby. We loved her for 18 years and now she's gone. Now what? There's a doggie shaped hole in our hearts today...</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">Tiffany, dooters, boone, tiffbutt, boonsters, ---- you brought sunshine into our lives. Thank you Lord for such a precious gift. It's a blessing that we will be thankful for forever.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">Deb wrote a post about Tiffany back in August called, </span><a href="http://dailybeeblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/its-dogs-world.html"><strong><span style="color:#99ffff;">It's A Dog's World</span></strong></a></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">In it she said, "Our family dog, Tiffany, has to be the greatest dog that ever lived. I am not being bias, I am telling you, she really is the greatest dog and if you had a chance to meet her you would think so... Soon she will be gone and that may be one the hardest things, she's been our family for more than half my life. She still is the greatest dog alive."</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">Deb, you are so right on both points... Tiffany was the GREATEST dog that ever lived and it IS one of the hardest things, to say goodbye.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">Goodbye Tiffany! I love you!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">Q.C.</span></div><br /><div></div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-18907393705111051792008-10-16T17:00:00.000-07:002008-10-16T17:05:04.055-07:00Dad's Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGceS7joRKTMH_Q3AILlzI2_UxpkIrNrOcsfIPj8YVwd5pmv0TiNOfEZKTpCsfAapmjl3f66XftIIu2MKGXiF2eiixeDpMzz5Rjfa2GklSwAY68vwjXxNekt9gStpnAbT4erZH/s1600-h/gramps.4kids.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257907029728020978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGceS7joRKTMH_Q3AILlzI2_UxpkIrNrOcsfIPj8YVwd5pmv0TiNOfEZKTpCsfAapmjl3f66XftIIu2MKGXiF2eiixeDpMzz5Rjfa2GklSwAY68vwjXxNekt9gStpnAbT4erZH/s400/gramps.4kids.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#99ff99;">Happy Birthday Dad!</span></div>(he's the one to the far left...)<br /><div><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#99ff99;">Another birthday...another year older. Sounds so gloomy... well not to add more to the gloom, but I know this may be a little tough this year... this is the first birthday my dad has had without his own father here on this earth.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#99ff99;">But, luckily, my dad is not a huge celebrator of birthdays, he always says... "I just don't understand the fuss!"</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#99ff99;">Well, today, we want to fuss over you a little if you don't mind... because we just happen to think you are worth it! I love you dad! Have a wonderful day and a wonderful year!!!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#99ff99;">Q.Cat</span></div>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37376126.post-66004494708122475062008-10-15T13:18:00.000-07:002008-10-15T13:53:53.715-07:00A-Buuuhhhhhh!!<span style="color:#ff9966;">Something is attached to me. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">It's pretty big and very noticeable. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Well noticeable to everyone but me. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">It's right there facing me every time I'm in front of a mirror, yet, I never see it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Lately it has come to my attention, just due to the sheer volume of self photos I've been posting on either facebook or myspace or EA or myworld.... too many social networks if you ask me. But seeing myself so much lately has made me notice things that I normally just look right past... hello double chineage and hello facial fuzz! But the one thing I've never stopped to even wonder about has got my attention.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Yes, that would be my birthmark. right there on my neck. for all to see. </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRflzNwjdy0CBik4rCQcv0-tjag2mLNeB8yD7gR-MAR-iiOPXdG2YIPgWgiQHBAX8ZNSQmZQbBV2-OMBDaEmciKfA4DrA8pFMKG5593Y9yWvShs-m3XophhiFgQ60xUXBtpqm/s1600-h/mole.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257483935029466786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRflzNwjdy0CBik4rCQcv0-tjag2mLNeB8yD7gR-MAR-iiOPXdG2YIPgWgiQHBAX8ZNSQmZQbBV2-OMBDaEmciKfA4DrA8pFMKG5593Y9yWvShs-m3XophhiFgQ60xUXBtpqm/s400/mole.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Since I've had it my whole life, I never even see it anymore. Not too long ago when I was filming my screen test the director had the audacity to ask me if we could cover it up with makeup! I asked him, WHY??? He said, because it's distracting, when I look at you all I see is your birthmark. Pppsshhwww! Of course, it's too dark, so what makeup we had did nothing but lighten it and make it look more like bruise. Greeaaaat.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Little kids call it a "bug". "Oh, kill the bug! kill the bug!" they'd say as they poke at my neck, scratching and clawing at me, trying to save my life. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">They've even specified the type of bug. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">The most common bug? </span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">The Roach. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Oy Vey! </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Others say it looks a necklace pendant. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Some call it a beauty mark while others call is "guaca-Mooooole-ay"! </span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Some have said..."ooooh, sexy!" while others go, "eewwww, caca!" (seriously, I've had someone say that!)</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">But I love my "mark". I was born with it, and I don't think I'd be me without it. I've come to appreciate it's uniqueness....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;"><strong>...and be thankful every day that it's not on my forehead!</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">~Q.Cat</span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;"></span>Queen Catherellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114851046078073759noreply@blogger.com1